Right here’s one thing New York Mets followers won’t have seen coming this offseason: Pete Alonso’s contract talks are “worse” than Juan Soto’s, in line with proprietor Steven Cohen.
Throughout an look on the Mets’ Amazin’ Day Saturday afternoon at Citi Discipline, Cohen was on a panel along with his basic supervisor, David Stearns, and supervisor Carlos Mendoza, whereas legendary broadcaster Gary Cohen (no relation) moderated the group.
Earlier than questions might be requested, although, the Mets’ faithful within the crowd burst right into a “We wish Pete!” chant, referring to Alonso, the free agent first baseman who has been a Met his whole profession.
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New York Mets proprietor Steve Cohen speaks to the media earlier than a sport in opposition to the Milwaukee Brewers at Citi Discipline June 28, 2023, in New York Metropolis. (Jim McIsaac/Getty Pictures)
“Maintain that for the top, OK?” Cohen advised the group, smiling.
The Mets and Alonso have had negotiations, however haven’t reached a deal after they signed Soto to his $765 million deal. New York has landed different gamers in free company, however Alonso stays one of many prime gamers available on the market.
Alonso was the crew’s second-round pick of the Florida Gators’ program in 2016, and he’s spent his first six seasons hitting house runs (226), together with a rookie report 53 that aided his Rookie of the Yr resume in 2019. He is additionally made 4 All-Star groups, together with every of the final three, and has a profession .854 OPS.
As a fan favourite, it’s simple to see why Mets followers are chanting for his or her first baseman to be again for a hopeful World Sequence run in 2025 with Soto added to a roster that additionally contains Francisco Lindor, Brandon Nimmo and Mark Vientos.
However Cohen, as he has been many instances up to now, was clear with the fan base about what’s been occurring in negotiations with Alonso’s agent, Scott Boras, who additionally represents Soto.
“We’ve made a major supply to Pete, and, you recognize, what David stated is appropriate. He’s entitled to exit and discover his market,” Cohen stated. “That’s what he’s doing. Personally, this has been an exhausting dialog and negotiation. I imply, Soto was robust. That is worse.”
The Soto sweepstakes have been a curler coaster, and it appeared like he was going to stick with the New York Yankees till Cohen got here swooping in on the eleventh hour with a proposal of a lifetime, crushing Shohei Ohtani’s report contract with the Los Angeles Dodgers.
So, with a record-breaking deal completed, how may Alonso’s negotiations presumably be worse?
New York Mets first baseman Pete Alonso runs the bases after hitting a house run within the sixth inning in opposition to the Philadelphia Phillies throughout Recreation 2 of a 2024 NLDS at Residents Financial institution Park. (Kyle Ross/Imagn Pictures)
“I don’t just like the constructions which are being introduced again to us,” Cohen defined. “I feel it’s extremely uneven in opposition to us, and I really feel strongly about it. I’ll by no means say no. There’s all the time the likelihood. However the actuality is we’re transferring ahead, and we proceed to usher in gamers. As we proceed to usher in gamers, the fact is it turns into more durable to suit Pete into what’s a really costly group of gamers that we have already got. That’s the place we’re.
“I’m being brutally trustworthy. I don’t just like the negotiations, I don’t like what’s been introduced to us, and perhaps that adjustments. Definitely, I’ll all the time keep versatile. If it stays this manner, I feel we’re going to must get used to the truth that we could must go ahead with the present gamers that we now have.”
Mets followers appreciated the honesty from their proprietor, giving him a spherical of applause on the finish.
Stearns added, “All of us love Pete. And we have stated that many instances. I feel as we have gone by this course of, we have continued to specific that.”
SNY reported this week the Mets have a $68-70 million supply in “current day cash” on the desk. Alonso turned down a deal for greater than $70 million when taking deferred cash into consideration.
New York Mets proprietor Steve Cohen defended the crew’s deadline strikes. (AP Picture/Charlie Riedel)
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The Toronto Blue Jays have additionally been linked to Alonso, however no deal seems imminent.
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